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This collection has access restrictions. For details, please see the restrictions.
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the Duplication Policy section for more information.
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Collection Overview
| Size | 21 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 5600 items) |
| Abstract | The collection contains audio and video recordings, film, press materials, posters, clippings, and photographs pertaining to the life and career of white country music recording artist George Hamilton IV (1937-2014) of Winston-Salem, N.C. Other country music performers are also featured. |
| Creator | Hamilton, George, IV, 1937-2014. |
| Curatorial Unit | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Folklife Collection. |
| Language | English |
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Information For Users
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Processing Information
Processed by: Marc Brodsky, May 2007
Encoded by: Marc Brodsky and Carrie Stubblefield, May/June 2007
Updated by: James McGlothlin, May 2007; Amanda Loeb, May 2014; Anne Wells, January 2016; Nancy Kaiser, August 2016; Laura Hart, December 2016, January 2017, December 2017, and May 2019; Nancy Kaiser, October 2020.
Diacritics and other special characters have been omitted from this finding aid to facilitate keyword searching in web browsers.
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Subject Headings
The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.
Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.
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Related Collections
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Biographical Information
George Hamilton IV was born on 19 July 1937 in Winston-Salem, N.C. On 18 June 1956, while a student at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Hamilton recorded the song, "A Rose and a Baby Ruth" (written by John D. Loudermilk) for Orville Campbell's Colonial Records, also in Chapel Hill. From that recording, which became a hugely successful pop teen hit, Hamilton went on make the transition to country music; become a mainstay at the Grand Ole Opry; and, through his work abroad, become recognized as the International Ambassador of Country Music.
By the late 1950s, Hamilton had moved to Washington, D.C., and become a regular performer (with Patsy Cline, for a time) on Jimmy Dean's "Town and Country Jamboree" show. He had also toured with Bobby Darin, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, and the Everly Brothers, along with many other well-known pop stars, and made numerous national television appearances. Although "A Rose and a Baby Ruth," acquired by ABC-Paramount Records, had become the label's first million-selling record, in January 1960, feeling miscast as a teen pop singer and following his love of country music, Hamilton and his young family moved to Nashville.
On 8 February 1960, Hamilton officially became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Later that year, he began recording for RCA Records, having been signed by Chet Atkins. In 1963, John D. Loudermilk's "Abilene" became a number-one hit for Hamilton on the country charts and reached the top 20 in pop. His interest in Canadian songwriters became evident in the late 1960s when he recorded songs by Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Gordon Lightfoot. In 1969, his first record of all Canadian music was released. Hamilton's internationalism was also shown by a long-standing involvement with the annual International Festival of Country Music, held at Wembley (UK), which began that same year. An association with the BBC also developed as Hamilton hosted many programs--variety and documentary--that showcased country music. His performance at Moscow University in 1974 was the first for an American country music performer. Other "first" performances on this tour were in Hungary, Poland, and Czechoslovakia. Later that year, Billboard Magazine began to refer to Hamilton as the "International Ambassador of Country Music."
In 1971, Hamilton left Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry for Charlotte, N.C., to join the broadcasts of Arthur Smith's country music televison show. He continued to work overseas while also maintaining a busy touring schedule in the United States. In the 1990s, he became involved with several musical theater and concert productions that featured the work of Patsy Cline, with Irish singer Sandy Kelly playing the title role.
Hamilton has continued to record country, folk, and gospel albums, including two with his son, George Hamilton V. In 2006, he celebrated his 50th year as a recording artist, which included a special reception hosted in London by the United States Ambassador to Britain.
George Hamilton IV died 17 September 2014 in Nashville, Tenn.
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Scope and Content
The George Hamilton IV Collection includes audiovisual materials, papers, posters, and photographs pertaining to the life and career of the country singer and guitarist. Audio recordings consist of audiocassettes, open reel recordings, and transcription disc recordings of perfomances, interviews, radio shows, and an early recording session, all featuring Hamilton. Included are recordings of the BBC's How the West Was Sung; Country Crossroads; The Ralph Emery Show; a recording of Hamilton's first performance at the Grand Ole Opry; a 1956 recording session at Colonial Records; interviews for BBC Radio and Radio Scotland; and other recorded performances and interviews. Also in the collection is a demo tape of "Gentle on My Mind" by John Hartford. Visual materials include films and videotapes of television shows and promotional spots from the United States, Great Britain, and Canada. Papers consist of newspaper clippings, press releases and other promotional materials, programs, correspondence, posters, and other materials pertaining to Hamilton's career. Photographs consist of both professional and candid photographs of George Hamilton IV, his family and friends, and associated musicians and music industry professionals, including David Allan, Chet Atkins, Jiri Brabec, Charles Chilton, Jim Clark, Patsy Cline, Mervyn Conn, Clarence Count, Country Express, Skeeter Davis, Pat Derry, Bruce Eller, Connie B. Gay, Walt Grealis, Rolf Harris, The Hillsiders, Frank Ifield, Gordon Lightfoot, John D. Loudermilk, Loretta Lynn, Miki & Griff, Jim Moore, Anne Murray, Olivia Newton-John, Jack Rodgers, Slim Whitman, Wally Whyton, and Paul Yandell.
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Series Quick Links
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Series 1. Audio Recordings, 1956-2006.
Arrangement: By format: audiocassettes followed by open reel and transcription disc recordings. Dated items generally appear first and in chronological order. Undated items follow.
Recordings of performances, interviews, radio shows, and an early recording session by George Hamilton IV.
Note that original titles have, for the most part, been retained.
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Subseries 1.1. Audiocassettes.
Arrangement: Multi-tape broadcast series appear first, followed by dated items in chronological order. Undated items follow.
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Subseries 1.2. Open Reel Recordings.
| SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20410/12805 |
Colonial Records recording session, George Hamilton IV, Chapel Hill, N.C., 18 June 19565" reel "It Was Me" and "I'll Always Remember." |
| SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20410/12806 |
First Grand Ole Opry performance by George Hamilton IV, NBC Radio broadcast, 21 November 19597" reel Includes performances of "A Rose and a Baby Ruth," with the Jordaniares backing up and "Little Tom." Ernest Tubb also performs along with others. |
| SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20410/12807 |
Interview: George Hamilton IV and Larry Adams, 21-22 October10" reel KCS [?] with George Hamilton IV; year of production unknown |
| SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20410/12808 |
"Gentle on My Mind," John Hartford, voice and banjo, date unknown5" reel |
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Subseries 1.3. Transcription Disc Recordings.
| Transcription Disc FC-20410/16546 |
"Ralph Emery Show," George Hamilton IV, guest, Nashville, Tenn., 17 July 1972See also FC notes for format/cue sheet |
| Transcription Disc FC-20410/16547 |
"Ralph Emery Show," George Hamilton IV, guest, Nashville, Tenn., 18 July 1972See also FC notes for format/cue sheet |
| Transcription Disc FC-20410/16548 |
"Ralph Emery Show," George Hamilton IV, guest, Nashville, Tenn., 19 July 1972See also FC notes for format/cue sheet |
| Transcription Disc FC-20410/16549 |
"Ralph Emery Show," George Hamilton IV, guest, Nashville, Tenn., 20 July 1972See also FC notes for format/cue sheet |
| Transcription Disc FC-20410/16550 |
"Ralph Emery Show," George Hamilton IV, guest, Nashville, Tenn., 21 July 1972See also FC notes for format/cue sheet |
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Subseries 1.4. Audiodiscs, 1957-1987.
Arrangement:Chronological .
This subseries contains long-playing records by George Hamilton IV and his son George Hamilton V, who also recorded under the name Hege V. Also included is a 45 RPM single by George Hamilton V.
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Subseries 1.5. Compact Discs (CD).
Arrangement: By Artist.
This subseries contains recordings on compact disc (CD) by George Hamilton IV and his son, George Hamilton V, who also recorded as Hege V
| Music Compact Disc CD-20410/5966 |
"Kerrville: End of the Century," Various. Silverwolf / Kerrville SWKCD 1027. |
| Music Compact Disc CD-20410/5967 |
"Christmas at the Ryman 2001," Various. SJ Purdy SP 0001 CD. 2001. |
| Music Compact Disc CD-20410/5968 |
"House of Tears Official 20th Anniversary Bootleg," Hege V. |
| Music Compact Disc CD-20410/5969 |
"Ghost Town," George Hamilton V and the Nash Vegas Nomads. Dixie Frog DFGCD 8450. 1996. |
| Music Compact Disc CD-20410/5970 |
"Garden of Love," George Hamilton V. Dixie Frog DFGCD 8473. 1998. |
| Music Compact Disc CD-20410/5971 |
"Homegrown," George Hamilton IV & V with the Moody Brothers. Lamon LR10349-2. 2004. |
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Subseries 1.6. 8-Track Tape , 1973.
| 8-Track Tape 8T-20410/83 |
"International Ambassador of Country Music," George Hamilton IV. RCA P8S-2110. 1973. |
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Series 2. Films, 1971, 1976 and undated.
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Series 3. Videotapes, 1969-2006 and undated.
Arrangement: By format; by subject; when possible, dated items appear first.
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Series 4. Papers, 1955-2006 and undated (Original Deposit).
Arrangement: By type of material, roughly chronological
Includes newspaper and magazine clippings, promotional materials (press releases, flyers, posters, and general), top tune charts, broadcast rundowns, awards, correspondence, miscellaneous papers, and miscellaneous publications.
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Subseries 4.1. Clippings, 1955-2003.
Arrangement: chronological by decade.
|
Box
1
Folder 1 |
Clippings: 1956-1959 |
|
Box
1
Folder 2-3 Folder 2Folder 3 |
Clippings: 1960-1969 |
|
Box
1
Folder 4-7 Folder 4Folder 5Folder 6Folder 7 |
Clippings: 1970-1979 |
|
Box
1
Folder 8-10 Folder 8Folder 9Folder 10 |
Clippings: 1980-1989 |
|
Box
2
Folder 11-14 Folder 11Folder 12Folder 13Folder 14 |
Clippings: 1990-1999 |
|
Box
2
Folder 15 |
Clippings: 2000-2003 |
|
Box
2
Folder 16 |
Clippings: Performance announcements/promotion |
|
Box
2
Folder 17 |
Clippings: Top Tune Charts |
|
Box
2
Folder 18 |
Clippings: Magazine cover features (full issues) |
| Oversize Paper Folder OPF-20410/1 |
Oversize Clippings: 1968-1979 |
| Oversize Paper Folder OPF-20410/2 |
Oversize Clippings: 1980-1996 |
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Subseries 4.2. Promotional materials, 1955-2003.
Arrangement: By type, chronological when possible.
|
Box
3
Folder 19 |
Promotional materials: Flyers and small posters |
|
Box
3
Folder 20 |
Promotional materials: Press Releases, 1960-1989 |
|
Box
3
Folder 21 |
Promotional materials: Press Releases, 1990-2006 |
|
Box
3
Folder 22 |
Promotional materials: "Mervyn Conn presents ..."Booklets from Mervyn Conn, a UK promoter with whom George Hamilton IV often worked. |
|
Box
3
Folder 23-24 Folder 23Folder 24 |
Promotional materials: General |
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Subseries 4.3. Performance Programs.
Arrangement: By type and chronological.
Includes programs from large international festivals to small single performances and religious services
|
Box
4
Folder 25-27 Folder 25Folder 26Folder 27 |
Promotional materials: Performance programs: General |
|
Box
4
Folder 28 |
Promotional materials: Performance programs: Church, religious |
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Subseries 4.4. Other Materials.
|
Box
4
Folder 29 |
Correspondence |
|
Box
4
Folder 30 |
Program rundowns, blocking schedule, set list |
|
Box
4
Folder 31 |
Contracts and related materials |
|
Box
4
Folder 32 |
Award certificates |
|
Box
4
Folder 33-34 Folder 33Folder 34 |
Miscellaneous: General |
|
Box
5
Folder 35 |
Miscellaneous publications:George Hamilton IV: Ambassador of Country Music, the Authorized Biography, Paul Davis (Harper Collins, 2000) George Hamilton IV, 50th Anniversary Scrapbook and Photobiography, George Hamilton V George Hamilton IV, souvenir book edited by Bob Powell Our Brightest Stars in Country Music, Carolyn Rada Hollaran, autographed by author (Nashville Celebrity Book Publishers, 1987) Grand Ole Opry Picture-History Book, edited by Jerry Strobel (Gaylord Entertainment Company, 1997) Grand Ole Opry Picture-History Book: 75th Anniversary Commerative Edition, multiple authors (Gaylord Entertainment Company, 2000) |
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Subseries 4.5. Posters, 1965-2006.
Posters collected by George Hamilton IV while on tours in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan. Most posters advertise live concert appearances by George Hamilton IV or festivals in which he performed, but there are also posters from the Nashville Room in London advertising performances by Michael Nesmith, Jerry Reed, Buddy Knox, and Hank Locklin. Posters promoting album releases by George Hamilton IV as well as items pertaining to his appearance as marshal in a Charlotte, N.C., parade are also included. Note that the years relating to some posters are unknown.
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Series 5. Papers (Additions).
Acquisitions Information: Accession 102364.
Arrangement: Chronological by decade
Chiefly press materials, including press releases and promotional flyers, and newspaper and magazine clippings about George Hamilton IV. Of note are many materials relating to Hamilton's role in a show about Patsy Cline. There are also similar promotional materials about other country music performers and cultural institutions, including the Country Music Association.
|
Box
6
Folder 36 |
Press materials, 1970s |
|
Box
6
Folder 37 |
Press materials, 1980s |
|
Box
6
Folder 38-42 Folder 38Folder 39Folder 40Folder 41Folder 42 |
Press materials, 1990s |
|
Box
6
Folder 43-49 Folder 43Folder 44Folder 45Folder 46Folder 47Folder 48Folder 49 |
Press materials, 2000s |
|
Box
7
Folder 50 |
Press materials, 2000s |
|
Box
7
Folder 51 |
Press materials, 2010s |
|
Box
7
Folder 52 |
Other performers, 1970s-1990s |
|
Box
7
Folder 53-55 Folder 53Folder 54Folder 55 |
Other performers, 2000s |
|
Box
7
Folder 56 |
Other performers, 2010s |
|
Box
7
Folder 57 |
Backstage passes, 2010 |
Acquisitions Information: Accession 102693.
Arrangement: This series has not been arranged.
Processing Information: Materials have been placed in folders for use, but they have not been analyzed, arranged, or fully described.
Materials include country music festival programs, newsletters, newspaper and magazine clippings, country music publications, leaflets, flyers, press kits, promotional items, reviews, tributes, calendar lists with tour dates and destinations, and slight correspondence intermingled.
Box 8-13
Box 8Box 9Box 10Box 11Box 12Box 13 |
Printed materials and miscellaneous items, circa 1970-2013 |
Acquisitions Information: Accession 103015.
Arrangement: This series has not been arranged.
Processing Information: Materials have been placed in folders for use, but they have not been analyzed, arranged, or fully described.
Materials are chiefly press kits, newspaper clippings, and issues of the George Hamilton IV and Friends News Information Service newsletter. Other materials include international and national tour information and schedules.
Box 14-20
Box 14Box 15Box 16Box 17Box 18Box 19Box 20 |
Publicity, promotional, and public relations materials, circa 1969-2011 |
Acquisitions Information: Accession 103139.
Arrangement: This series has not been arranged.
Processing Information: Materials have been placed in folders for use, but they have not been analyzed, arranged, or fully described.
Materials include country music festival programs, newspaper and magazine clippings, leaflets, flyers, press releases, reviews, calendar lists with tour dates and destinations, and posters advertising performances at various venues.
| Oversize Paper Folder OPF-20410/2 |
Posters, circa 1990-201421 items. Posters advertising commercial recordings and performances at various venues, particularly the Grand Ole Opry. |
| Oversize Paper Folder OPF-20410/3 |
Posters, circa 1983-201210 items. Posters advertising performances at various venues including international festivals. Of note are two posters for a music festival hosted by the Country Music Association of Poland (1983-1984). |
| Box 20 |
Ephemera, circa 1987-2012 |
| Box 21 |
Clippings and programs, circa 1996-2012Includes a typescript titled "Interlude The Early Years: Hard Times, and Good Times for Country Music in 1950s Washington, D.C.," by George Hamilton IV. |
Acquisitions Information: Accession 101048.
The bulk of this addition is not available for immediate or same day access. Please contact Research and Instructional Service staff at wilsonlibrary@unc.edu to discuss options for consulting this collection.
| Oversize Paper Folder OPF-20410/4 |
Posters |
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Series 6. Photographs, 1955-2000 and undated.
Arrangement: Roughly by size.
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Series 7. George Hamilton IV Website (Addition of May 2014).
"George Hamilton IV & Friends," website of country musician George Hamilton IV. The site includes a biography of Hamilton, concert schedule, discography, photographs, and contact information for Hamilton.
| Digital Item DI-20410/1 |
Website (georgeiv.net)Harvested using Archive-It, beginning in October 2013. |
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Items Separated